Clean Run - December 2012 - 5

All Roads
By Carole Lynn Evans

Outsiders come to trials and sometimes notice we are a little different in a very good way. How many places do you see people in their 70s (maybe even 80s) competing with people in their 20s (or even younger)? Some handlers run in the best technical running gear one can find, some run in blue jeans. We have some of the top bred dogs in the world and we have rescue dogs. On any given day any team can win the class, and all can win our hearts. As exhibitors we can go anywhere in the country and see old friends. No matter where we are, we almost always meet new friends. We are kindred spirits in so many ways. While we are all different, many of us are the same. We have seen each other at our very best, and we have seen each other at our worst. We know the heartache of a lost partner, and we know the hope and dreams of starting again. We live to run, and we run to live. We mourn age, and we mourn loss; yet we ourselves are truly ageless. We cheer for MACHs, ADCHs, NATCHs, CATCHs, PACHs, etc., but we know, remember, and honor the very first novice qualifying run. We celebrate wins of the heart as well as championships and placements. Our judgment of one another is based on sportsmanship, not on material accomplishments. We value and respect one’s skills as a trainer. We applaud and understand that a win may not be a phenomenal run but rather a confident teeter and an enthusiastic dog. We may not even know a person’s name, yet we always know each other’s dogs. In our younger years (some are still in those years) a few were athletes, but most were not. Some of us hated running, and some of us loathed PE class, yet now we

run and enjoy it. We run to be the best for our dogs and for ourselves. Many of us are an orthopedic surgeon’s dream or worst nightmare. Often our dogs eat better than us, and we feel that is normal. Some feed raw, some feed grain-free, and some are fine with the basics. We have our supplements, chew bones, training treats, and trial treats. While we might eat junk food, our dogs almost always eat healthy. Some are morning people, some are not (I am not), but few complain about being at a trial at 7:00 am. We arrive in our vans or SUVs, compacts are probably the minority. We are connoisseurs of mini-vans and crates. To own 30 crates is normal; one in the van, one in the house, one at the training center, one for the site, and one for the motel... 5 per dog. We have favorite motel chains, and we are all about points and rewards and an occasional free room. We have favorite motels 1,600 miles away. We know where there is good dog grass and the best breakfast. We have our favorite road trip food, fast food, gas stations, and grocery stores. Most of us have always had dogs, but few of us grew up as “dog people.” I am not sure how most of us started this journey, but I am glad we all ended up in the world we call Agility. All in all, sometimes things go well, sometimes they don’t. But no matter how things went, when the weekend is over we look forward to the next.

Carole Lynn Evans

Carole and her husband Eric reside in Franktown, Colorado, with retired Irish Setter MACH 3 Teagan UDX and ILP Canaan Dog MACH Johnny UDX, currently running Irish Setter MACH 2 Hans UDX, XF, German Shorthaired Pointer Coop MX, MXJ, Papillons MACH Meko CD, NF and Scotty AX, MXJ, BN, a foster Pap named Steve, a few house cats, some chickens, and a guinea named Jerry. Carole judges AKC agility and obedience and teaches a few classes at their home. December 12 | Clean Run 5

Clean Run - December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - December 2012